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Friday, May 20, 2016

May Is National Microchip Your Pet Month

Me: “May has been declared National Chip Your Pet month. I thought it would be a great time to remind our readers about the importance of having their pet microchipped.”

Bentley: “We usually come across a news story about a pet that has been reunited with their family because of a chip every week while fetching our BFTB NETWoof News reports. Some of the dogs have been missing for several years.”

Pierre: “I got my microchip this year after I may or may not have chased a bunny under our fence. In all honesty, I didn’t even realize that I had left the yard. Bunnies make me lose my mind.”

Me: “It was enough of a wake-up call that you went to the vet the very next day! We can’t have you running willy-nilly through the neighborhood after silly rabbits.”

Bentley: “I’ve had a chip on my shoulder for a couple of years now. I got mine before we went on a road trip just in case I decided to take a scenic tour without their permission. I’m not saying that I would do something so foolish, but scent trails happen, ya know.”

Pierre: “I think that you had a chip on your shoulder longer than that…just sayin’. Hee hee! Seriously, according to the American Humane Society, over 10 million dogs and cats are lost or stolen every single year. That is way too many to assume that it can’t happen to your best friend.”

Me: “Statistics show that 1 in 3 pets will be lost in their lifetime. Those odds are not in our favor as pet parents. That’s why one of the first things we should do is have our dog or cat microchipped. Collars and tags can be removed or lost but a microchip is implanted under your skin so you can’t accidentally lose it.”

Bentley: “A microchip is only useful if it is registered in a database with the family’s information. People have to do their part and in the event that they move, it’s imperative to update the pet’s chip information. It is super easy; even for folks that aren’t very tech savvy. Heck, Mom did it twice!”

Me: “Listen to you, Mr. Sweet Talker. You’re right, it is easy to log in the database and input critical information. You and Pierre have two different brands and both were user-friendly. If we ever move, I can log in and update everything. The sad truth is that only 58% of microchips have been registered. Remember, a vet does not register the microchip. It is the pet parent’s responsibility. I made sure to store the microchip information in a safe place too.”

Pierre: “If a dog or cat is found, a veterinarian or shelter will scan for a microchip. The return ratio of chipped dogs is over 52% compared to the 22% of those without chips. It’s even worse for cats; only 2% of lost cats are reunited with their family but that number goes up to 38% if the cat has been microchipped. Those odds are at least a bit more in our favor.”

Bentley: “I’ve heard a lot of people don’t get their pet chipped because they think it will hurt. Pffft! I’m here to tell you that I didn’t even flinch. The chip is about the size of a grain of rice. Sure, the needle looks a bit intimidating but it really doesn’t hurt. I have a bunch of extra skin so that helped. Pierre, you are pretty thin-skinned, did yours hurt?”

Pierre: “I am NOT thin-skinned; I’m extremely sensitive to pain. However, in the case of the microchip, you are right. It did not hurt and was far less traumatic than getting my nails trimmed. Geez, I hate getting a pedicure. *shudder”

Me: “Getting a pet microchipped doesn’t cost a fortune either. It usually costs $30 - $50 and it should last a lifetime. Many veterinary clinics and shelters hold discount days to encourage more people to protect their pets with a chip. I ask my vet to scan the chips each year to make sure they haven’t shifted locations. It is rare, but it does happen.”

Bentley: “I hope that we’ve convinced everyone to have their pet microchipped. It is important to do everything you can to keep us safe. I’m glad that we have our collars, IDs, and microchips. It is much easier than having to carry a wallet with all of that information. Not to mention that I don’t have pockets.”

Thank dog you boys are both chipped! Katie and I each have two chips, one European, and one US. Like everything else, they couldn't make one that is read by all worldwide, so we have two just in case. Bailie only has a US chip, so she better not hop a plane to Europe! Getting chipped is so fast and painless, there is no excuse not to be chipped.

it is law here (think since some years) and we always see the low price offer in the waiting room of our vet. it is unbelievable that some people here still ignore this important thing ... it can be our chance to find back home when we are lost...our only chance...

I was chipped at the kennels as my peeps came to pick me up, that's a responsible breeder fur you.Butt, well……I haf to admit, I still prefers to eats my chips, wiv a little vinegar and sum fish…Mmmmmm, fish and chips, yummy!Loves and licky kissesPrincess Leah xxx

Microchipping is so important. I just had a meeting with a state rep. to work on a law that all pets should be scanned for microchips prior to euthanasia. A friend of mine had a cat that got out of the house, he was microchipped, but tragically he euthanized when a neighbor brought him in to the vet- no one checked for a microchip until after the fact.

I think it's great! You can't have too much ID on a dog....chips along with collars and tags. We had some strange dogs in our yard the other day and they had no easy to find ID (one had town tags but it was evening so the town wasn't open). They might have had to spend the night at the shelter if we hadn't found their home. So it's important to remember to have both and keep them up to date too.Jan, Wag 'n Woof Pets

Thank you for writing about microchips!! I think it would be a wonderful thing for Cocoa. You do the best you can with keeping them safe but Cocoa is so crazy that I think it would be beneficial. I am going to ask my vet!!

Micro-chips are the one thing every animal has to have. As a tech (for a short time) I micro-chipped animals and it's easy and take two minutes. It's so worth it and one of thee best ways for you to be reunited with your animal should they run away!

Not a day goes by that a lost dog appears on our digital neighborhood watch. Breaks my heart. I decided I wouldn't rely on luck that if Sam were ever lost someone would take him to a vet to see if he were chipped, I include the info on his collar as well. The piece of mind was more impawtant.

I love they way you write! Sharing your dog's input in their own "voice," while still being informative is difficult and you do it very well! We agree with the importance of microchipping! We help to fund the chipping at our local shelter because we think it's an essential piece to dog ownership!

Microchips sure can make a world of difference----as long as they're registered to the current information of the owner as you mentioned. We agree it is much easier than having to carry around a wallet. :)

"Bunnies make me lose my mind." You crack us up Pierre & Bentley!!Microchips are crucial in reuniting pets, without dispute over ownership, so we're very glad you have them now.WeK, Isagold, Bettyblue, Finndawg & @PetsAreFound